The
Policy and Training Institute at the Los Angeles Child
Guidance Clinic offers specialized training to providers who work with
children ages 0-5 to build capacity in infant and early childhood mental
health and promote interdisciplinary collaboration.

EITI

LACGC

@LAChildGuidance

LACGC

About the Clinic

Los Angeles ChildGuidance Clinic

The Clinic is the oldest, continuously operating agency of its kind in the West, and has been committed to serving the communities of Central and South Los Angeles for over 90 years.

Since its inception in 1924, the Clinic has been a leader in innovative mental health programming. In the 1940s, it adopted a multi-disciplinary team approach to best understand the complexities of children’s needs and to develop individualized treatment plans that resulted in improved emotional and behavioral outcomes. This approach infused the professional perspectives and work of psychologists and social workers, and added child psychiatrists to the team shortly thereafter. The model of service delivery then evolved to include a parent and family component that has resulted in the culturally sensitive, family-centered, consumer-driven approach that the Clinic is known for today.

Our Mission

The mission of the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic is to provide quality mental health services to a community in great need by ensuring easy access and promoting early intervention. The Clinic enhances the mental health and well-being of children and youth ages 0-25 years, and their caregivers, by:

Providing family-centered, culturally sensitive and clinically sound mental health programs in an atmosphere that fosters emotional and social growth.

Providing specialized educational services to seriously emotionally disturbed children and youth who have failed in other settings.

Advocating on behalf of children and their families in order to secure needed services.

Promoting strategic collaborative efforts with schools, preschools and other human services and advocacy agencies in Central and South Central Los Angeles.

Providing follow-along services to clients enrolled in Clinic services prior to age 21, through their 25th birthday, when indicated.

Conducting ongoing evaluations of Clinic services to ensure effective outcomes; conducting research on Clinic services and participating in appropriate research studies of experts in mental health and related fields.

Therapeutic Goals

Help children and youth who are mentally ill, seriously emotionally disturbed, abused or at risk for mental health problems to function in a healthy manner at home, in school and in the community, ensuring that services are offered at the lowest level of care possible.

Support primary caregivers in their efforts to strengthen and preserve the integrity of their families.

Treat adult family members, as appropriate, in support of family-centered services.

Treat adults who face barriers to employment due to mental health issues.